In this review, we will be comparing Triton One.R and T66, two Passive Floor-standing speakers by GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of GoldenEar Triton One.R and GoldenEar T66 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | GoldenEar Triton One.R | GoldenEar T66 |
|---|
| Brand | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | High-Velocity Folded Ribbon | Folded Ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | 5.25" | 2 x 4.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Polymer | 2 x 5 x 9" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 13-35k Hz | 29-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-650 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 36.36kg / 80lbs | 27.22kg / 59.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 54-1/8" x 12-3/8" x 20-5/16"
1375.0 x 315.0 x 516.0mm | 49-7/16" x 11-13/16" x 17"
1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm |
|---|
Triton One.R and T66 are members of GoldenEar's Triton series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
GoldenEar Triton Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Triton One.R and T66 are 3-way speakers.
GoldenEar Triton One.RGoldenEar T66
MidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
GoldenEar Triton One.R |
GoldenEar T66 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
2 x 4.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
2 x 5 x 9-inch
|
Triton One.R features a " High-Velocity Folded Ribbon Tweeter, a 5.25" Midrange and 1 x 5" Polymer Woofer. On the other hand, the T66 features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 2 x 5 x 9" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Triton One.R has a frequency range of 13-35k Hz whereas T66 has a frequency range of 29-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 13Hz, the Triton One.R can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the T66's min frequency of 29Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
Triton One.R is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the T66 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the T66 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Triton One.R sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the T66's is rated at 91 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the GoldenEar Triton One.R a more sensitive speaker compared to GoldenEar T66, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Triton One.R features Binding post type posts and T66 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare GoldenEar Triton One.R's and GoldenEar T66's external dimensions. GoldenEar Triton One.R has external dimensions of 1375.0 x 315.0 x 516.0mm (54-1/8 x 12-3/8 x 20-5/16inch) whereas GoldenEar T66 has external dimensions of 1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm ().
GoldenEar Triton One.R is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 15mm wider, 119.3mm taller and 84.2mm deeper than GoldenEar T66.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
GoldenEar Triton One.R needs about 25% more floor or shelf area. GoldenEar Triton One.R is 84mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. GoldenEar Triton One.R is 119mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the GoldenEar Triton One.R is approximately 1625.4cm2 / 251.9inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar T66 is approximately 1295.4cm2 / 200.8inch2. The Triton One.R requires 25% more surface area than the T66 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The GoldenEar Triton One.R weighs 36.36kg / 80lbs and the GoldenEar T66 weighs 27.22kg / 59.9lbs. This makes the Triton One.R 34% heavier than the T66.
Here is a comparison of how Triton One.R and T66's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of GoldenEar Triton One.R?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Triton One.R:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- 9-feet AC power cord
- 4 Rubber feet (pre-installed)
- 4 Spikes (with locking nuts)
- 4 Protective discs
- Owners Manual
- Very Important Note
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
13 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Passive Radiator |
four 7-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
|
Woofer Size |
5 x 9 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Number of Woofers |
2
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 Height |
1255mm
vs
1375mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1295cm2
vs
1625cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
GoldenEar Triton One.R |
GoldenEar T66 |
| Brand |
GoldenEar |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
13-35k Hz |
29-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5 x 9" |
| Woofer Composition |
Polymer |
|
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
High-Velocity Folded Ribbon |
Folded Ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5.25" |
4.5" |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1375.0mm (54.1") |
1255.7mm (49.4") |
| Width |
315.0mm (12.4") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Depth |
516.0mm (20.3") |
431.8mm (17") |
| Weight |
36.36kg (80lbs) |
27.22kg (59.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
|
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Gloss Black |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Siblings in GoldenEar's Triton series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | GoldenEar Triton One.R digs deeper - 13Hz against 29Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | GoldenEar Triton One.R is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | GoldenEar T66 is easier to place; GoldenEar Triton One.R is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
A GoldenEar Triton One.R B GoldenEar T66
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
GoldenEar Triton One.R has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 29Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, GoldenEar Triton One.R is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.